What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
squirmer
Example
The squirmer in the front row was distracting the other students. [squirmer: noun]
Example
She was squirming in her seat during the job interview. [squirming: present participle]
wriggler
Example
The fish was a wriggler and hard to catch. [wriggler: noun]
Example
He was wriggling his eyebrows suggestively at her. [wriggling: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Wriggler is less common than squirmer in everyday language. Squirmer is a more versatile word and can be used in a wider variety of contexts, while wriggler is more specific and often used to describe the motion of animals or children.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between squirmer and wriggler?
Both squirmer and wriggler are informal words and are not typically used in formal contexts.